"We stand upon that foundered ground, stewards of its memory, but memory only," Ecthelion had said.

Five years since Denethor laid his father in Rath Dínen. A bare month since he laid his wife there. Memory's ever past, ever present–too real, groundless foundering. The future, though... his–Gondor's–future... surely he might...

Desire draws the eye that draws desire, as stone awakens...

~~~

Legend had it among the Dúnedain that Meneltarma had not sunk wholly, and could be seen by those "farsighted" (Silmarillion, 348). Combine this with the later bit about Elendil, the palantír, and the sighting of Avallónë, and you've got yourself a theory...